This is a question that is probably most often asked in personal development. It is a question that, for me, has been an extremely loaded one.
Since I’ve been involved in Untemplater I’ve asked myself many times: “How often are my decisions based on my own personal needs or desires? How often are my decisions based on other people’s desires or expectations of me?”
Time and time again as I make a decision I’ve opted for my own personal needs or desires and as a result, I’m watching myself grow more and more individualistic. I don’t want to be constrained by expectations put upon me by society, culture, family or peers. That’s the untemplated lifestyle right?
But as they say, no man is an island. Everyone is connected.
Whether we realize it or not we as individuals can (and do) affect so many people, not just the people closest to us. Even a simple smile to a stranger you walk past can have a tremendous effect on that person’s mood and their attitude for the rest of the day.
And no matter how individualistic we think we are, whether we like it or not, we are shaped by others as well.
So my question for you all this week [after dropping off the face of the Untemplater planet last week] is: How do you want to be remembered? What do you want your legacy to be?
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How do I want to be remembered?
Like rich chocolate chewy caramel. Enticing to look at, delicious to taste and leaves an annoying sweet spot stuck to your teeth when its done – that or like batman. Either one is good.
Like chocolate caramel or like Batman? That’s quite the conundrum!
I want to end world suffering.
I know I won’t succeed in my lifetime, but I believe that so much of suffering comes from feeling like we’re alone, and that no one understands our pain the way we feel it. At that point shame, and fear, and hurt build up, isolating us even more… because be believe that inherently, there is something wrong with who we are.
My Legacy, is reminding people that they’re fine. They might not be where they want to be, right now… but that they’re still OK. It’s not personal, and there is still all the love in the world available for them.
In the meantime, discovering who we want to be, in relationship with those around us.. and having fun doing it.
I definitely agree; feeling alone causes so much invisible suffering. Your legacy is ambitious, but well worth striving for!
I want to be remembered as an endlessly curious and simple human being who dedicated his life to helping others live simply, balance life, and cultivate curiosity.
Simplicity is such a challenge to obtain these days. What a great legacy.
Probably the number 1 thing I want people to remember about me (besides good friend, devoted relative, etc) is that I was a quirky individual that always had a smile on my face and tried to make it contagious. That I always looked at things with a different perspective, just because there was another perspective to use. That I marched to the beat of a different drummer, or sometimes, without any drummer at all.
And I want my ashes used as fertilizer to grow an edible plant (such as tomato) so that my friends and family can eat me.
This is great Edward! March to the beat of your internal drum! :p
Probably nothing popular. I’m not a fan of aiming for popularity, so I doubt my legacy will be more than what the people that met me during my time here will remember of me.
Very good question Dariane.
I find that popularity isn’t always sought after; sometimes popularity finds you. Just sayin’.
Hi Dariane,
As for my legacy, that’s between me and the universe 😉
I think that we can do the most for others by making the most of ourselves. This means doing what you truly want to do, no matter what others may think, say or do in response to you being you. Listen to your heart’s orders, follow them, and you’ll attract like-minded people along the way who will help you get what you want. You’ll leave people who aren’t in harmony with the New You behind.
That being said it’s always important to be nice. Every single person you encounter deserves to receive kind treatment, because the universe is in every single person. Actually, this might be the #1 business skill. You can be deficient in many other departments but if you have a pleasant, affable personality doors always seem to open for you.
Thanks for sharing your insight 🙂
“You’ll leave people who aren’t in harmony with the New You behind.”
What if the people you leave behind include those whom you care a lot about or who care a lot about, or are dependent on, you?